Sports Bulletin

Lahore (Sports Reporter): Lahore Qalandars owner Atif Rana has reaffirmed the franchise's commitment to developing Pakistan's next generation of cricketers, saying the team's squad for the ExxonMobil Global Super League (GSL) 2026 has been built around young and emerging talent to prepare future stars for international cricket. "The Qalandars' squad is based on youth and emerging talent, who will be provided international exposure to showcase their abilities on the biggest stages and develop into future stars for Pakistan," Atif Rana said as the Lahore Qalandars team departed for Guyana on Saturday. The franchise will be led by experienced New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell in the prestigious tournament, scheduled from July 23 to August 1 at the Guyana National Stadium, where champion franchises from across the world will compete.Highlighting another key objective of the tour, Atif Rana expressed confidence in head coach Shaun Tait, saying the former Australian fast bowler's experience would play a crucial role in nurturing Pakistan's future pace attack. "Shaun Tait is a highly experienced coach who has helped develop quality fast bowlers in Bangladesh. We are also focusing on producing outstanding fast bowlers under his guidance, so Pakistan's fast-bowling resources continue to grow," he added.Team Director Sameen Rana described Bracewell's appointment as captain as a strategic move. "Michael Bracewell's experience, leadership and all-round abilities make him the ideal captain to lead our young squad against world-class opposition in the Global Super League," said Sameen Rana.Lahore Qalandars will launch their GSL campaign against Perth Scorchers on July 23 before facing Desert Vipers (July 24), Guyana Amazon Warriors (July 26) and San Francisco Unicorns (July 29), with the final scheduled for August 1.The squad combines experienced overseas players, including Bracewell, Parvez Hossain Emon, Shayan Jahangir and Delano Potgieter, with promising Pakistani youngsters such as Abdullah Shafique, Usama Mir, Shamyl Hussain, Muhammad Naeem, Mehran Mumtaz and Shahab Khan, reflecting the franchise's long-term vision of producing the next generation of international stars.LAHORE QALANDARS SQUAD FOR GSL 2026: Michael Bracewell (New Zealand), Parvez Hossain Emon (Bangladesh), Shayan Jahangir (USA), Delano Potgieter (South Africa), Abdullah Shafique, Usama Mir, Shamyl Hussain, Muhammad Naeem, Imran Randhawa, Mehran Mumtaz, Farhan Yousaf, Shahab Khan, Muhammad Basit, Ali Shabbir.

BIPIN DANIIndia’s renowned cricket statistician Mohandas Menon has confirmed that the career records of opposition players who featured in matches against Mohammad Nawaz during his disqualified period will remain intact. Their runs, wickets, and milestones achieved in those fixtures continue to stand in official records, ensuring that their careers are not impacted by Nawaz’s suspension. This clarification provides reassurance to players and fans alike that the sanction applies solely to Nawaz’s statistics, not to the performances of others.The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that Pakistani all‑rounder Mohammad Nawaz has been suspended for three months after breaching the ICC Anti‑Doping Code.In its official statement, the ICC noted: "Subject to Nawaz completing a substance‑of‑abuse treatment programme to the ICC’s satisfaction, he will not be required to serve any further period of ineligibility. As required by the ICC Anti‑Doping Code, Nawaz’s records from the match against the Netherlands on 7 February and in subsequent matches until 1 May 2026 have been disqualified.”This ruling means that Nawaz’s individual statistics during the affected period will be struck from the record. However, the ICC has not indicated that the performances of opposition players in those matches will be altered. Typically, under anti‑doping regulations, disqualification applies only to the offending player’s results, while team outcomes and opponents’ records remain intact.The case raises questions among fans and analysts about the broader impact of such sanctions, particularly whether opposition players’ achievements in matches involving Nawaz could be revisited. For now, the ICC’s stance appears clear: Nawaz’s records alone are disqualified, leaving his opponents’ statistics unaffected — a position reinforced by Menon’s authoritative confirmation.

Lahore (Sports Reporter): The Women’s National Selection Committee has named 15-member squads for the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to take place in Hambantota, Sri Lanka from 23 July to 4 August. Fatima Sana continues to lead the side in the ODI format, while Muneeba Ali Siddiqui has been named captain for the T20I series in Fatima's absence.24-year-old Fatima will feature in The Hundred in England following the conclusion of the ODI series. She made history by becoming the first Pakistan women’s cricketer to take part in the league. Fatima claimed 11 wickets in five matches at the recently concluded ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales and also scored 85 runs, including a half-century. She was also named in the Team of the Tournament at the conclusion of the 12-team event.In the T20I squad, eight changes have been made to the side that represented Pakistan in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, underscoring the selectors’ focus on developing and integrating emerging talent into the national setup. Eman Naseer, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees, Momina Riasat, Najiha Alvi, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar have been named in the squad. Of these Eman Naseer, Maham Anees and Momina Riasat are yet to make their T20I debuts and could earn their maiden international caps during the series.For the three ODIs – which are also part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2025-29, Maham Anees and Saira Jabeen are the uncapped players. The three ODIs will be played on 23, 25 and 28 July.Pakistan team will arrive in Sri Lanka on 20 July before taking part in training sessions on 21 and 22 July.Pakistan ODI squad in alphabetical order:Fatima Sana (captain), Ayesha Zafar, Gull Feroza, Maham Anees, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jabeen, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda AkhterPakistan T20I squad in alphabetical order:Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (captain), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees, Momina Riasat, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda AkhtarPlayer support personnel:Ayesha Ashhar (manager), Wahab Riaz (mentor/head coach), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Umaid Asif (fast bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Imran Farhat (batting coach), Raza Kitchlew (media manager), Waleed Ahmed (analyst), Tehreem Sumbal (physiotherapist).Tour schedule :23 July – First ODI25 July – Second ODI28 July – Third ODI31 July – First T20I2 August – Second T20I4 August – Third T20I

Karachi (Nayyab Abdul): Opening batter Ravail Farhan struck an unbeaten half-century and left-arm pacer Mahnoor Zeb picked up three wickets as Pakistan registered an emphatic 47-run victory against South Africa to level the five-match U19 women’s T20 series 1-1 here at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Friday night.Pakistan, who were inserted in by the visitors, posted a competitive total of 125-4 in 20 overs led by player of the match Ravail’s 64-ball 68 not out comprising nine fours and two sixes and in turn dismissed South Africa for 78 in 17.1 overs with the trio of left-arm pacers Mahnoor Zeb, Mah Noor and Shahar Bano sharing six wickets.Bano got the defence of the target off to a perfect start as she castled South Africa opener Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout for a first-ball duck, while Mahnoor Zeb bowled previous game’s player of the match Chanel Venter in the fourth over.Diedre van Rensburg (20, 24b, 2x4s) and skipper Mieke van Voorst (16, 20b, 3x4s) stitched a 28-run stand but it was cut short by Mah Noor – who was making her maiden appearance for Pakistan women’s U19 - and with this breakthrough brought about a seven for 30 collapse for South Africa.Mah Noor returned in the 11th over with South Africa 52-3 and cleaned up Makwana Moriri. South Africa kept on losing wickets as their top-scorer van Rensburg was run out by Fizza Fiaz, while left-arm spinner Maham Nazakat and Mahnoor Zeb dismissed two batters each after the 11th over to leave South Africa 78-9 with 17 balls left.South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batter Jae-Leigh Filander was absent hurt. Mahnoor Zeb’s three for 21 was backed up by Maham’s two for eight in 3.1 overs, Mah Noor’s two for 19 in four overs and Bano’s one for 12 including a maiden in three overs.Earlier, Ravail (68, 64b, 9x4s, 2x6s) and Komal Khan (23, 24b, 3x4s, 1x6) put on a strong 63-run opening stand before the latter departed in the ninth over. Ravail then kept the innings together by forming a 16-run stand with Zoofishan Ayyaz (11, 12b, 2x4s), 20-run stand with Raahima Syed, 14 runs with Fizza Fiaz – who was tactically retired in the last over – and 12 runs with Bano.Ravail brought up her fifty off 49 balls and finished the innings with a flourish hitting the last two balls of the innings for a six and a four. For South Africa, Miya Lalor, Ashleigh van Wyk and Reabetswe Dithipe picked up one wicket each.The third T20 match of the series will be played on Sunday, 19 July at the same venue with the first ball expected to be bowled at 7pm PKT.Scores in brief:Pakistan 125-4, 20 overs (Ravail Farhan 68 not out, Komal Khan 23; Miya Lalor 1-23)South Africa 78 all out, 17.1 overs (Diedre van Rensburg 20; Mahnoor Zeb 3-21, Maham Nazakat 2-8, Mah Noor 2-19).

Karachi (Sports Report): South Africa got off to a triumphant start in the University of Lahore presents Rivaj women’s U19 T20 series with a four-wicket win over Pakistan as they chased the 104-run target with 24 balls to spare here at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Tuesday night.Left-arm pacer Shahar Bano’s all-round effort comprising two for 16 in three overs with the ball and a fiery seven-ball 18-run cameo at no.7 with the bat went in vain as Pakistan fought hard.Bano first entered the fray with Pakistan 82-5 and thumped two fours and a six while batting right-handed and with the ball she removed Chanel Venter and Miya Lalor (14, 11b, 1x4, 1x6) after South Africa went from 78-3 to 94-5.Player of the match Venter starred with a 32-ball 41 hitting three fours and two sixes as she steered South Africa’s chase along with her opening partner Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (22, 20b, 4x4s) as the duo shared a 47-run stand.Left-arm spinner Maham Nazakat, in her maiden appearance for Pakistan women’s U19, made immediate impact in her first over – the seventh of the innings - as it yielded two wickets and four runs. Bezuidenhout was run-out by Aqsa Habib, while Maham trapped Makwana Moriri leg-before.Another run-out by off-spinner Memoona Khalid in her follow-through led to South African skipper Mieke van Voorst falling for a tw0-ball duck. Though South Africa were cruising, Pakistan bowlers still managed to apply some pressure with Bano striking twice, while Maham returned to castle no.7 Ashleigh van Wyk with a superb ball for a duck.South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batter Jae-Leigh Filander remained unbeaten for nine off 19, while Daneli Boshoff hit the winning runs remaining unbeaten for six off seven.Earlier, Pakistan lost their top three for naught as South Africa hit the ground running. Aqsa Habib (38, 50b, 6x4s) and Zoofishan Ayyaz (30, 40b, 4x4s) then stitched a 61-run fourth-wicket stand doing the repair works. Skipper Fizza Fiaz contributed run-a-ball 14 hitting two fours.Bano provided the much-needed impetus with her batting as Pakistan crossed the three-figure mark. For South Africa, Leg-spinner Ashleigh van Wyk picked up three for 15, while right-arm pacer Miya Lalor dismissed two batters.The second T20 will be played at the same venue on Friday, 17 July with the first ball set to be bowled at 7pm PKT. Both the teams will rest on Wednesday.Scores in brief:T20 series - Match 1 of 5 – Pakistan women U19 v South Africa women U19 at National Bank Stadium, KarachiPakistan 103-6, 20 overs (Aqsa Habib 38, Zoofishan Ayyaz 30, Shahar Bano 18 not out; Ashleigh van Wyk 3-15, Miya Lalor 2-21)South Africa 104-6, 16 overs (Chanel Venter 41, Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout 22; Shahar Bano 2-16, Maham Nazakat 2-17) Player of the match – Chanel Venter (South Africa women’s U19)

Karachi (PCB Report): The Women’s National Selection Committee has named a 17-member Pakistan Women’s U19 squad for the South Africa series set to take place in Karachi from 14 to 24 July. The five-match T20 series between the two sides will be played at the National Bank Stadium, with the first ball of each match set to be bowled at 8pm local time.South Africa Women’s U19 team will embark on their maiden tour of Pakistan and will arrive in Karachi on 10 July. Both sides will take part in training sessions from 11 to 13 July before the first T20 takes place on Tuesday, 14 July.Pakistan team will be led by Fizza Fiaz, who was part of the side that won the series 3-2 against Bangladesh U19 in Bangladesh in December 2025. The right-handed batter featured in two matches in the five-match T20 series, scoring 72 runs, including a half-century. The 19-year-old also featured in the National Women’s T20 Tournament and participated in the National Women’s U19 Tournament 2025-26 as well.For the forthcoming T20 series, nine of the 17 squad members featured in the previous series against Bangladesh. Alongside captain Fizza, Aqsa Habib, Areesha Ansari, Komal Khan, Memoona Khalid, Raahima Syed, Ravail Farhan, Rozina Akram and Zoofishan Ayyaz were all part of that tour.The squad members also featured in two U19 fitness and skills camps held in Karachi as part of the team's preparations for the upcoming series.Pakistan U19 squad:Fizza Fiaz (captain), Alzoha Hammad, Aqsa Habib, Areesha Ansari, Barirah Saif, Hadia Mina, Komal Khan, Mah Noor, Maham Nazakat, Mahnoor Zeb, Memoona Khalid, Raahima Syed, Ravail Farhan, Rozina Akram, Shahar Bano, Zainab Khanum and Zoofishan AyyazTeam management:Aisha Jalil (manager), Mohammad Masroor (head coach), Shoaib Khan (batting coach), Naeem Tayyab (bowling coach), Jaweria Rauf (fielding coach), Eman Arbab (analyst), Taimoor Mehmood (strength and conditioning coach) and Surakhsha Shaker (physiotherapist)Series schedule (All matches at National Bank Stadium and will begin at 8pm):10 July – South Africa team arrival in Karachi11-13 July – Pakistan and South Africa teams training sessions at National Bank Stadium14 July – First T2017 July – Second T2019 July – Third T2022 July – Fourth T2024 July – Fifth T20

Media releaseAustralia opener Beth Mooney has regained the No.1 position in the ICC Women’s T20I Batting Rankings after winning the Player of the Tournament award in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.The wicketkeeper-batter, who had also been named Player of the Tournament in the 2020 edition at home, has overtaken team-mate Georgia Voll, who had occupied the top spot since 23 March this year.Mooney won the Player of the Match award in Sunday’s final at Lord’s for a solid 64 off 49 deliveries in a seven-wicket win over England that helped her finish the tournament with 238 runs and start her fifth stint as number one. Only Karen Rolton has occupied the spot longer than Mooney, who has spent more than four years as No. 1.In other notable movements, South Africa opener Tazmin Brits has advanced three places to 11th after scoring 51 in the second semifinal against England at The Oval, while England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 75 in that match and 58 not out in the final have helped her move up five spots to 16th. Freya Kemp’s unbeaten 44 in the final has lifted her 27 spots to 63rd.The bowling rankings still see India’s left-arm spinner Shree Charani at the top of the table even as Sophie Ecclestone has leapfrogged team-mate Charlie Dean to second place after taking one wicket each in the semifinal and the final.Australia all-rounder Kim Garth’s economical spell in the final has earned her a five-slot rise to 15th position while South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp has moved back into the top 10 after a fine effort in the semifinal. Ash Gardner (up two places to 20th), Sophie Molineux (up 21 places to 66th) and Shabnim Ismail (up 29 places to 69th) are others to progress.

Dubai (Sports Bulletin Report): Four players from the victorious Australian side have been named in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament.The champions, who lifted the trophy for the seventh time, are the best represented nation, with runners-up England providing two players to the team.The remaining players in the XI, plus the 12th player, come from six different nations.Sophie Molineux has named as captain after skippering Australia to the title in her first tournament as leader, while Beth Mooney takes the gloves after a starring performance in the final.The team was selected by a panel consisting of ICC representative Gaurav Saxena, members of the tournament commentary team Ian Bishop, Anjum Chopra, Julia Price and Ebony Rainford-Brent, and media representative Valkyrie Baynes.England’s opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge crashed more runs than have ever been scored before by an individual at an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with 302 from seven games at a strike rate of 149.5.Wyatt-Hodge also had two of the top five scores in the tournament, including making the first century of the competition in England’s opener against Sri Lanka.She is partnered by Mooney, who made history by becoming the first women’s player to win both Player of the Final and Aramco Player of the Tournament for the second time.Mooney hit back-to-back half-centuries in the knockout stages, making a match-winning knock of 64 from 49 balls in the Final.England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt is named at three having only played four matches of the tournament.She hit four consecutive scores over 40, including a match-defining 75 against South Africa in the last four before following up with 58 not out in the final, the third ICC showpiece in a row where she has top-scored for England.Ellyse Perry continues to age like fine wine, hitting back-to-back half-centuries in the group stages, with a starring performance against Pakistan as she made 71 and took two wickets for nine runs.Perry was named Player of the Match three times, a joint-high with Wyatt-Hodge, including in Australia’s record chase against at India.Ireland’s Orla Prendergast has been recognised after steering her side to their first-ever win at a World Cup.The all-rounder scored 63 in the victory over the West Indies, her second half-century of the tournament, also taking wickets in all bar one of the matches.In at No.6, Nilakshika Silva was twice named Player of the Match for Sri Lanka, including her 54 not out in the famous win over New Zealand.She also made 21 not out to see her side home against Scotland as Sri Lanka won three matches at a T20 World Cup for the first time.Marizanne Kapp’s all-round brilliance saw South Africa to their fourth consecutive T20 World Cup semi-finals.Kapp made a stunning 81 not out to see the Proteas chase down India, also taking eight wickets in the tournament including three for 23 against Pakistan.Ashleigh Gardner has been selected at number eight as the Australia vice-captain contributed with bat and ball.She twice made half-centuries, including her 53 not out blitz to see Australia complete the highest chase in World Cup history against India, before posting best figures of two for 13 against West Indies in the semi-final.Pakistan’s Fatima Sana is the third captain to be part of the team, having led her side with distinction in the tournament.She finished joint-second in the wicket-taking charts with 11 dismissals across five games, also making 55 not out in a narrow loss to South Africa.Just below her is Molineux, who also took 11 wickets in the tournament, as the skipper extracted dismissals in all but one game.India’s Sree Charani completes the XI having ended as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker, despite only playing five games.The slow left armer took 14 wickets, the second most-ever at a single T20 World Cup, with best figures of four for 19 as she took at least two wickets in every match.Darcey Carter has been named as the 12th player, a historic first appearance for a Scotland player in the list.Carter made 208 runs from five matches at the top of the order, including 72 not out against New Zealand.T20 World Cup: Team of the TournamentDanni Wyatt-Hodge, Beth Mooney [wk], Nat Sciver-Brunt, Ellyse Perry, Orla Prendergast, Nilakshika Silva, Marizanne Kapp, Ashleigh Gardner, Fatima Sana, Sophie Molineux [captain], Sree Charani, Darcey Carter

BIPIN DANIIndia’s rising star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi etched his name into cricket history when he became the nation’s youngest male international cricketer — and the youngest debutant from a major Test‑playing country in T20Is — at just 15 years and 99 days during his debut against England at Old Trafford.While the milestone has thrilled Indian fans, the official record for the youngest men’s international cricketer still belongs to Pakistan’s Hasan Raza, who made his Test debut in 1996 at the tender age of 14 years and 227 days.Speaking exclusively over telephone from Dubai, where he has been based for the past year on a coaching assignment, Raza warmly welcomed Sooryavanshi to the elite list: “I am happy for this young boy. I followed his performance in the recent match against England. I also followed his first IPL career season. He has been playing really well and I am sure he will bring glory for the nation. I wish him good luck for his bright future.”Raza is also aware of the special facilities provided to the Indian opener in Ireland and England, including separate change‑room arrangements due to his age. Reflecting on his own teenage debut, Raza recalled a very different era: "At that time in the 1990s, I was not required to use a separate change room. There was no law as such for under‑16 boys. Neither my parents accompanied me on the tour. I was sharing the hotel room with my team captain Aamer Sohail. At that time, the players were accommodated in twin‑sharing rooms.”Now 44, Hasan Raza’s career included 7 Tests and 16 ODIs for Pakistan. Though his record as the youngest debutant remains intact, he expressed genuine delight at seeing another teenager step onto the international stage, carrying forward the legacy of precocious cricketing talent.

Lahore (SBR): :Pakistan Men’s National Selection Committee has announced Test squads for the tours of the West Indies and England during a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday, 5 July.Babar Azam has been named captain for both series. Pakistan will play a two-match Test series against the West Indies from 25 July to 6 August, followed by a three-match Test series in England from 19 August to 13 September.A 16-member squad has been named for the West Indies series, while a 17-member squad has been announced for the England series. Saud Shakeel has been included as the 17th member for the England series, subject to fitness.Left-arm spinner Ali Usman, right-handed batter Mohammad Awais Zafar, right-arm fast bowler Ubaid Shah and wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Ghazi Ghori are the uncapped players in the squad.16-member squad (in alphabetical order) for West Indies series:Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Awais Zafar, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah17-member squad for England series:Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood and Ubaid ShahSchedule for West Indies series:25-29 July – First Test, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba2-6 August – Second Test, Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Port of SpainSchedule for England series:19-23 August – First Test, Leeds27-31 August – Second Test, Lord’s9-13 September – Third Test, Birmingham